beak

noun

ˈbēk 

1

a

: the bill of a bird

especially : a strong short broad bill

b(1)

: the elongated sucking mouth of some insects (such as the true bugs)

(2)

: any of various rigid projecting mouth structures (as of a turtle)

c

: the human nose

2

: a pointed structure or formation:

a

: a metal-pointed beam projecting from the bow especially of an ancient galley for piercing an enemy ship

b

: the spout of a vessel

c

: a continuous slight architectural projection ending in an arris see molding illustration

d

: a process suggesting the beak of a bird

3

chiefly British

a

: magistrate

b

: headmaster

beaked

ˈbēkt 

adjective

beaky

ˈbē-kē 

adjective

Synonyms

• mouth
• mandible
• muzzle

Examples of beak in a Sentence

the beak of a hawk

an actor with a big beak

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the study, their skull includes a rigid beak, a flexible hyoid bone wrapping around the skull, and a layer of spongy bone between the hyoid and skull bone. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

When angry or threatened, the owls make a rapid clicking sound with their beaks. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025

The bite landed on Dottie's wattle, the fleshy red tissue hanging from a chicken's beak that helps regulate body temperature. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025

The ≠ sign from the pink group makes its tiny little beak. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bec, from Anglo-French, from Latin beccus, of Gaulish origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for beak

• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek
• leak

Kids Definition

beak

noun

ˈbēk 

1

a

: the bill of a bird

especially : the bill of a bird of prey adapted for striking and tearing

b

: any of various rigid mouth structures (as of a turtle) that stick out

also : the long sucking mouth of some insects

c

: the human nose

2

: a part shaped like a beak

beaked

ˈbēkt 

adjective